I Don't Have Any "Religion"

[WantToKnowHim]

Good day..


I was baptised as a Protestant, but I do not go to church much like I did when I was younger. For now, I am attending to the meetings of different "religions", such as Roman Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses and Church of Christ ( sometimes I acknowledge on the "religion" I am having, sometimes I'm not); the reason I have to this is to observe their differences, listen to their explanations and compare it with the others, so that somehow I may balance it and fill some questions I had in my mind. If there are some beliefs that they have which I am against to, I just keep it to myself, bearing in mind the verses:

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

I really believe that this verse do not focus on food only, but virtually to anything. However, if I find some beliefs uncomfortable (For example, the Hail Mary's and the rosary of the Catholics) I just stand in the corner and watch; I do not participate, yet, I respected them.

There are some people saying that what I am doing is wrong, but there is a bible verse that really urge me that somehow, "religion" causes division in the church.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17


I researched the internet about my belief about this, and I found a movement called as "Ecumenism". Though I am not much aware of this movement, I love their idea of the unification of the "religions" so that we may be all called as "Christians", not " Catholics" or " Protestants" , etc. And added to this research are the stories of Abraham when he was in the wilderness, as well as the others before they were released from slavery in Egypt; they have no "religion" with them, but a belief that there exist one God, who is good, loving and righteous.

I believe that "Jews" are called because they are descendants of Judah; and there are no names tagged to them as a believer in God (I do not see any bible verse that God said " For you believe in me, they will call you as Jews", but their nation was set apart because they believe, and thus Jews were somehow synonymous to "believers of God" on those times). Christians were so-called because they believed in Christ--therefore there must be only ONE unit of us who believe that Jesus saved us, such as the Old Testament Jews.


In my point of view, this maybe is one of the reasons why other beliefs, such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Atheism points to us. We are not unified as one church, unlike them who has only one solid foundation. ( My point is not on the subdivisions such as on Hinduism where they have several temples for different gods; my point is their unit--Hinduists are Hinduists, if you know what I mean). This makes me kind of sad sometimes, because, we are glorifying one God, acknowledging one Savior, and yet, among us are troubles and pinpoints of what we are doing.

I love God and I want to follow Him--that's the truth of it. But I really hate this division in our church, which I preceived as "religion".


I just want to ask if what I am believing is wrong, and if possible, kindly support some biblical scriptures in it. Thanks...

 

[David777]

Hello WantToKnowHim.

Great question, the explanation is straight forward.

There are many passages in the scriptures that deal with divisions.

I have included some to explain why divisions or differences exist.

Divisions are in fact denominational variations, these divisions
are not the work of God but the work of man.

These divisions have and will occur through out church history.

In fact, human opinions on God and politics are too numerous
to describe, they are never ending. It is enthralling to witness
church divisions, the people involved usually are not focused
on Jesus Christ. Rather, interested in everything but Jesus Christ,
a vision that is not aimed at heaven, rather earthly matters.

1 John 2:19

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they
had been of us, they would have continued with us; they went
out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

Romans 16:17

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and
offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as
to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with
solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now
you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy,
strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like
mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another,
“I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those
of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this,
that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,”
or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 John 17:21

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Ephesians 4:3

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


Beware of anyone that claims a particular denomination of
Christianity that includes the Catholics and JW's!

Real Christians are those that believe in Jesus Christ.

The scripture contains the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is God and is the head of the Church, the real Church.

This Church has no name or denomination!!

 

[Coconut]

Hello WantToKnowHim - me too!

My religion is Christ; and if that is wrong, I`m content to keep living in my wrongness, for I have found Christ is all I need.

It is only in fellowship with Christ, that we have fellowship with His body (the church He is building)

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Let me write that again in my own language...

If we walk in the light of Christ, [then] we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all wrong doing.

People will say, you are not "walking in the light of Christ" if you are not over here in [you name it] fellowship. for it seems a most commonly accepted Catholic and Protestant belief that if we fellowship with one another, then we have fellowship with Christ.

How do you say BACKWARDS.

There are some people saying that what I am doing is wrong...

People say a lot of things...again refer to above.

If you seek balance, there is truly only one Rock. I wouldn`t waste my time trying to find my balance in any sand castle.

However if it is fellowship you seek, I have found there are body parts everywhere, and yes even sitting in pews of the denominations you mentioned

Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."


What religion can then say, hey we are the Rock, or we are standing on the Rock, come over here and stand on the Rock with us! The Rock Christ Jesus is not a foundation beneath any building of man, it does`nt matter what name is on that building.

Rom_9:33 as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
1Co_10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
1Pe_2:8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.


A question to chew on...

Heb 13:13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

What "camp" is the writer talking about?

 

[Coconut]

Re "Ecumenism"

I want to address this a little further.

The spiritual revelation that Peter received from God opened his eyes to see who Christ was.

"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

This spiritual revelation, this Truth, this Rock, called for a name change for Peter. He was no longer just son of flesh, but son of the spirit.

Mat 16:17 Then Jesus told him, "How blessed you are, Simon son of Jonah, since flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, though my Father in heaven has.
Mat 16:18 I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock that I will build my church, and the powers of hell will not conquer it.

I want you to see that Christs spiritual church has a solid foundation, and is not, indeed can not be divided. This is because Christs church is being built by Christ Himself, and is not made up of sons of the flesh, but sons of the spirit. There is not one single stone of flesh to be found in it.

1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

See this is why Ecumenism will not work. Sure you can Ecumenism-ize (pardon me I like to make up words ) the stones of flesh, or the kingdoms of men, but you can`t budge the spiritual stones for they are built with something far beyond the grasp of men, and their builder and maker is GOD.

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

 

[WantToKnowHim]

Thank you very much

Thank you very much for your replies...

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Divisions are in fact denominational variations, these divisions are not the work of God but the work of man.

Good point, David. I grew up in a denominational church where Scripture study was never encouraged; I think they were afraid of their boat being rocked. There's a lot of Phariseeism in denominational churches and I believe God is rocking their boats as His bride is being prepared for the wedding spoken of in Rev 19.

SLE

 

[will]

A very good question and even better answers so far.

What most people don't realize is that the Scriptures never taught about organized religion, rather, it teaches personal relationship with the Savior of mankind.

In the Scriptures, the Body of Christ is always identified by followers of Christ, not the doers of certain liturgies, followers of certain apostles, teachers, preachers, or any other man besides Lord Jesus Christ. It is equally wrong to identify Christians as readers of certain books apart from the 66 we all know as the Holy Bible.

So if we stick closely to what the Scripture teaches, there will be no division other than geographical and cultural boundaries, which is fine, because the truth in the Scriptures transcends those boundaries.

The problem started when men (and women) put a doctrine, tradition, or worse: a pastor or teacher *above* the whole Scripture. I have many discussions with fellow believers who kept on referring to their denomination's statement of faith as the ultimate truth. So much so that they refused the plain and simple readings of the Scriptures that are before them. Opting for the "denomination-sactioned" interpretation that is not theirs to begin with.

See the contrast between personal walk and denominational-mentality here?
Therefore I stop believing in any man-established denominations.

Now, I can (and still do) learn from teachers belonging to those denominations, some of them teaches certain biblical concepts with clarity. But I rely solely on the Holy Spirit to correct my perspective and understanding. Because He alone knows what I needed to grow.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Good point, David. I grew up in a denominational church where Scripture study was never encouraged; I think they were afraid of their boat being rocked. There's a lot of Phariseeism in denominational churches and I believe God is rocking their boats as His bride is being prepared for the wedding spoken of in Rev 19.

I see evidence of that change also.I think the internet has allowed many of us to search out those things that 20 years ago we just had to take pastors word for because we were to busy working to spend 8 hours a day searching the scriptures.
I used to have to borrow books and go to the library and with today's study tools I can research at least ten times faster and check multiple sources and bounce my ideas off others doing the same.

It can be difficult adjusting to conflicts(within our understanding) about interpreting scripture and some internal wrestling to position ones self to more closely align with the word.

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

I just want to say that if you have no religon youre one a head of a lot of people..It was the religious that Christ didnt like ..its a bondage that He freed us from...What the Lord wants Is a people that will seek His will for thier lives and are willing to follow His leading in all things ..a personal realationship worked out with fear and trembling before The Lord ! ...A people not ashamed of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ..IF thats what youve got then bully for you . youre on the right track and God will Honor it ....Rev

 

[Brighthouse]

WantToKnowHim 1 Tim 6:3-5, 2 Peter 2:1-22!! Here is the point. Rather then looking to others in what they may or may not believe,why do you ,yourself not study the Word to show thyself approved unto the Lord?( 2 Tim 2:15) (2 Tim 3:16-17) (2 Tim 4:1-5) You will never know if they are right or wrong unless we get into the Word our self and find out.As Rev said religion is indeed man made,there is but one truth,and this truth can only be found in the Word,never outside of it. Blessing to you.

 

[WantToKnowHim]

Rather then looking to others in what they may or may not believe,why do you ,yourself not study the Word to show thyself approved unto the Lord?

Good day..

Thank you for your point.

 

[WantToKnowHim]

I just want to ask everyone with my problem now.


Being a person with "no religion", I don't know any place where I can worship and serve the Lord without some ways of the "religious sects" in our community. For worship, I mean, groups where I can help others by volunteering and such with somehow some meetings that tackles about God. All of us know that in the Philippines RC and Protestantism are prevalent religions. I cannot participate to a church. And it leads me to a very serious spiritual deterioration (until now). I cannot control myself, and the way I communicate towards others went worse. And lastly and the worst of them, my conscience isn't as strong as before. Any help?

 

[Truehearts]

I think that you really need to find a home church. It is a hard to grow on your own, and there wouldnt be a church perfect for you, but in order for you to grow you need worship and fellowship. Yes, you can worship on your own, sing hymns & songs, if TalkJesus works for you as fellowship, thats wonderful too. I can see though that you are a longing for companionship with your walk in Christ, but you refuse to be a part of any "religion".

I cannot participate to a church. And it leads me to a very serious spiritual deterioration (until now). I cannot control myself, and the way I communicate towards others went worse.

You have to really pray about this, there are a lot of churches and not every each of them you have to disagree, for example- Im a Christian, but when people ask me, whats my religion, I say "Born Again Christian...but its not about religion, its a relationship with Christ, thats Christianity". People need labels such as religions but my home church taught me itself that it isnt about religion.

Im not forcing you but I suggest you go and try different churches, as you go along reading the word of God and knowing whats really "right" pray that the Lord will lead you to a place where you can serve Him, where He will make use of your gifts.
Have you tried going to Victory Christian Fellowship? Im not sure where in PH you are but VCF is almost everywhere. I go to one once in a while.

 

[Coconut]

I just want to ask everyone with my problem now.

I cannot participate to a church. And it leads me to a very serious spiritual deterioration (until now). I cannot control myself, and the way I communicate towards others went worse. And lastly and the worst of them, my conscience isn't as strong as before. Any help?

Love, you are your Fathers daughter, your relationship with Him has nothing to do with how little or much you fellowship with your brothers and sisters. Your help and strength is before the throne of God, not amid the throngs of men.

Micah 6:8 The LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit [of God] who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Hebrew 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do you see? You could make your bed in a church building, and it would not help you. I know preachers who fell while standing in pulpits. Why? Because they took their eyes of Jesus Christ...

Heb 12:1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

Heb 12:2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Do you see? You could make your bed in a church building, and it would not help you. I know preachers who fell while standing in pulpits. Why? Because they took their eyes of Jesus Christ...

It's not the building that's important but the people who come together there to worship and learn. Its true that preachers have fallen (and deservedly so), but to condemn organized Christian churches is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Heb 12:1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us.

Some of those witnesses are with me in the church building on Sunday morning and they provide me friendship, encouragement and strength.

SLE

 

[Coconut]

To condemn organized Christian churches is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

You read too much into what I was saying Brother Ed.

Let me repeat myself:

Your relationship with Father has nothing to do with how little or much you fellowship with your brothers and sisters. Your help and strength is before the throne of God, not amid the throngs of men.

Watchman Nee spent 20 years alone in a prison cell. Does this mean he became spiritually weak? Not if he kept his eyes on Jesus Christ. It seems rather apparent from his writings that he did just that.

Let me rephrase what I said, and make it crystal clear.

If a man or woman does not remain in fellowship with Father, it won`t matter who else they fellowship with, or how often. It is the first thing, the most needful thing. While fellowship may be a good thing, it is the secondary thing.

First thing: If we walk in [HIS] light,
Second thing: [THEN] we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. -1Jn 1:7

[ ] added for emphasis

ergo, in Ed speak, lets keeps the babes, and let them be bathed in blood.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

If a man or woman does not remain in fellowship with Father, it won`t matter who else they fellowship with, or how often. It is the first thing, the most needful thing. While fellowship may be a good thing, it is the secondary thing.

I certainly agree that fellowship with God is first and foremost. I also agree that persecuted Christians are strengthened by the Holy Spirit while being imprisoned and tortured. But, I harken back to the first century church of Acts 3 and their shared meals and group worship, which I believe is God's preferred way for believers of today.

SLE

 

[Boanerges]

We (the born again children of God) walk with God in a living relationship not mindless ritual. Jesus problem with the Pharisees was not however their practices of ritual, but their lack of understanding. They took the Word's of Life and made them an instrument of death because they simply had no understanding of God's heart and will.
Tradition is not necessarily bad if it directs us to Christ but sadly more often is used to void the Word of God.
I tend to look at it this way; If we seek God, read His Word, pray, worship, fellowship, then we will be the one led of the Spirit and our acts will always be pleasing to Him.


That being said biblically there is "good" religion, although it is not our master it is a reflection of His work in us :

From the Vines Expository Dictionary
Religion

1. threskeia (G2356) signifies "religion" in its external aspect (akin to threskos, see below), "religious worship," especially the ceremonial service of "religion"; it is used of the "religion" of the Jews, Act_26:5; of the "worshiping" of angels, Col_2:18, which they themselves repudiate (Rev_22:8, Rev_22:9); "there was an officious parade of humility in selecting these lower beings as intercessors rather than appealing directly to the Throne of Grace" (Lightfoot); in Jam_1:26, Jam_1:27 the writer purposely uses the word to set in contrast that which is unreal and deceptive, and the "pure religion" which consists in visiting "the fatherless and widows in their affliction," and in keeping oneself "unspotted from the world." He is "not herein affirming...these offices to be the sum total, nor yet the great essentials, of true religion, but declares them to be the body, the threskeia, of which godliness, or the love of God, is the informing soul" (Trench).
2. deisidaimonia (G1175) primarily denotes "fear of the gods" (from deido, "to fear," daimon, "a pagan deity," Eng., "demon"), regarded whether as a religious attitude, or, in its usual meaning, with a condemnatory or contemptuous significance, "superstition." That is how Festus regarded the Jews' "religion," Act_25:19, KJV and RV marg., "superstition" (RV, "religion"). See RELIGIOUS, Note (1), and under SUPERSTITIOUS.
Notes: (1) Threskeia is external, theosebeia is the reverential worship of God (see GODLINESS), eusebeia is piety (see GODLINESS), eulabeia the devotedness arising from godly fear (see FEAR). (2) For "the Jews' religion," Gal_1:13, Gal_1:14, see JEWS, B.

 

[bgsda]

you guys have to read the book The Great Controversy loaded with answers about denominations and where they came from.

 

[EphremHagos]

Good day..


I was baptised as a Protestant, but I do not go to church much like I did when I was younger. For now, I am attending to the meetings of different "religions", such as Roman Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses and Church of Christ ( sometimes I acknowledge on the "religion" I am having, sometimes I'm not); the reason I have to this is to observe their differences, listen to their explanations and compare it with the others, so that somehow I may balance it and fill some questions I had in my mind. If there are some beliefs that they have which I am against to, I just keep it to myself, bearing in mind the verses:

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

I really believe that this verse do not focus on food only, but virtually to anything. However, if I find some beliefs uncomfortable (For example, the Hail Mary's and the rosary of the Catholics) I just stand in the corner and watch; I do not participate, yet, I respected them.

There are some people saying that what I am doing is wrong, but there is a bible verse that really urge me that somehow, "religion" causes division in the church.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17


I researched the internet about my belief about this, and I found a movement called as "Ecumenism". Though I am not much aware of this movement, I love their idea of the unification of the "religions" so that we may be all called as "Christians", not " Catholics" or " Protestants" , etc. And added to this research are the stories of Abraham when he was in the wilderness, as well as the others before they were released from slavery in Egypt; they have no "religion" with them, but a belief that there exist one God, who is good, loving and righteous.

I believe that "Jews" are called because they are descendants of Judah; and there are no names tagged to them as a believer in God (I do not see any bible verse that God said " For you believe in me, they will call you as Jews", but their nation was set apart because they believe, and thus Jews were somehow synonymous to "believers of God" on those times). Christians were so-called because they believed in Christ--therefore there must be only ONE unit of us who believe that Jesus saved us, such as the Old Testament Jews.


In my point of view, this maybe is one of the reasons why other beliefs, such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Atheism points to us. We are not unified as one church, unlike them who has only one solid foundation. ( My point is not on the subdivisions such as on Hinduism where they have several temples for different gods; my point is their unit--Hinduists are Hinduists, if you know what I mean). This makes me kind of sad sometimes, because, we are glorifying one God, acknowledging one Savior, and yet, among us are troubles and pinpoints of what we are doing.

I love God and I want to follow Him--that's the truth of it. But I really hate this division in our church, which I preceived as "religion".


I just want to ask if what I am believing is wrong, and if possible, kindly support some biblical scriptures in it. Thanks...

All religions (including Christianity) are like "used wineskins" which can never hold the "new wine" of sacred faith.
(Matt. 9:17; John 4: 21-26; Matt. 27: 50-56; Heb. 10: 19-26)

It pays, beyond one's expectation, to invest time and effort in search of Christ's perpetual self-revelation in his death on the cross, who alone can author and autograph sustainable faith with eternal life!
(John 8: 21-28; 12: 32-33; 14: 18-21; 19: 30-37)

God bless you.